7 Television Celebs You Didn’t Know Participated In Beauty Pageants
Beauty pageants and acting go hand in hand. A lot of actors start their career in the world of glamor and glitz with modeling before they get into acting. Although they are not the same, their worlds are quite similar. With all the fame and glory that models and actors gain, the kind of lives they live requires the same lifestyle. They have to look their best, eat right, exercise, and stay out of controversies. All this comes with the territory of being in front of the camera and having the media speculate your lives. Did you know that most actresses have first walked on ramps before becoming the stars they are? I’m not just talking about Bollywood celebrities but even your favorite celebs from Indian television started their careers as models and some even participated in beauty pageants. Here are a few of them who walked the ramp before entering the world of acting.
1. Erica Fernandes
Indian television actress Erica Fernandes, popularly known as Sonakshi Bose in Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi was the winner of Miss India 2012. She is multifaceted and likes to cook, bake, and sing. Erica has taken part in beauty pageants like Femina Miss Fresh Face and Pantaloons Femina Miss Maharashtra. She is currently excelling in her acting career and winning awards for her roles in television cable. Apart from this, she likes to doodle in her free time and play the keyboard.
2. Reshmi Ghosh
Known for her roles in various television serials, Reshmi Ghosh is an Indian actress who is most famously known for her portrayal of Indrawati in Sasural Simar Ka. The former Miss India Earth 2002 has appeared in several popular television dramas like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Karam Apnaa Apnaa, Kayamath, Baal Veer, and some Bollywood films too.
3. Avantika Hundal
The show, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, which has unbelievable twists and turns portrays Avantika Hundal as the character of Mihika. Her character was turned into a negative role on the show and she received a lot of hate on social media. Not only did she gloriously pull off multiple roles as an actress but she also did so in a beauty pageant. Avantika represented India in the Miss India International in 2004 and won the title. She moved to the US with her husband and baby to pursue an MBA and we are proud of her dedication.
4. Gauhar Khan
Winner of Bigg Boss season 7, Gauhar Khan is an Indian actress and model. She participated in Femina Miss India and was placed 4th when she was just 18 years old. She won the title of Miss Talented during the contest. After pursuing modeling, she made her first Bollywood debut in 2009 in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. She has also acted in movies such as Ishaqzaade and Badrinath Ki Dulhania.
5. Divyanka Tripathi
Divyanka Tripathi, Indian television actress, and model, is known for her portrayal of the dual role she played in Banoo Main Teri Dulhann. She was an anchor on All India Radio, Bhopal before her foray into acting/modeling. She is currently playing Ishita in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein but before she started her career as a television actress she participated in beauty pageants. In 2003, Divyanka won the title Miss Beautiful Skin in the Pantene Zee Teen Queen. She was crowned Miss Bhopal in 2004.
6. Gauri Pradhan
Indian television actress and former model, Gauri Pradhan is best known as Nandini Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. During the initial days of her modeling career, she participated in Femina Miss India. Diva turned bahu, the actress fell in love with her co-star Hiten Tejwani while working together in the popular and successful show Kutumb. The two of them are married and have two beautiful children together.
7. Smriti Irani
Yes, you read that right. Currently, a minister in the Union Cabinet of India, Smriti Irani was a former television actress and model. She participated in Femina Miss India and made it to the top ten finalists. Right now she holds two esteemed positions in the parliament as the Minister of Women and Child Development and Minister of Textiles. She was well known for her role as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
Time and again women have proved to us that nothing is impossible. These talented women have won prestigious titles and represented India worldwide. Some of them have pursued their acting careers, some of them have taken up MBA, and well others have even started their career in politics. Who says women cannot do everything? These women are an indication of the greatness we are capable of achieving and it just goes to show that the capabilities we harbor are endless. Kudos to these women! Who is your favorite celebrity from our list? Let us know in the comments below.
